Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors
Published on: February 28, 2017
Overexpression of osteoprotegerin promotes preosteoblast differentiation to mature osteoblasts
Hongyou Yu1, Paul de Vos, Yijin Ren
1Department of Orthodontics, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Objective:
The hypothesis of the present study is that overexpression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) promotes preosteoblast maturation.
Materials And Methods:
The preosteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 was transfected with OPG overexpression. OPG expression was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. Changes in the transcription factors in OPG-expressing cells were assessed by real-time polymerase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Alkaline phosphate (ALP) expression was measured by ELISA.
Results:
The success of stable transfection of MC3T3-E1 cells with OPG overexpression was confirmed by MoFlow sorting followed by G418 selection. RT-qPCR showed that expression of RunX2, the most important osteoblast differentiation controlling factor, was suppressed. Smad1 and Akt1, as well as ALP, were upregulated in the OPG overexpressing cells.
Conclusion:
Results from the present study provide evidence that overexpression of OPG in preosteoblasts promotes its differentiation into mature osteoblasts.
Related Concept Videos
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Bone Remodeling
Bone Cells and Tissue
Osteoblasts and Osteocytes
The osteoblast is the bone cell responsible for forming new bone tissue. It is found in the growing portions of bone, including the periosteum and...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

